Time-accumulating means for coin-operated timer mechanism

ABSTRACT

A time-accumulating means is provided to rotate the setting shaft of a timer mechanism unidirectionally in response to an inward and outward reciprocation of the slide of a coin-receiving mechanism. The time-accumulating means comprises a gear rack secured to the slide for reciprocation therewith, a gear rotatably positioned to engage the gear rack during at least a portion of the outward reciprocation, and a unidirectional clutch connecting the gear and the setting shaft. By this arrangement, the inward reciprocation of the slide and gear racks will cause idle rotation of the gear, while outward reciprocation of the slide and gear rack will cause rotation of the setting shaft and the consequential accumulation of timer run time.

United States Patent [7 2] inventor Clarence A. Zinninger Louisville, Ky. [21] Appl. No. 820,771 [22] Filed May 1, 1969 [45] Patented Apr. 27, 1971 [73] Assignee General Electric Company [54] TIME-ACCUMULATING MEANS FOR COIN- OPERATED TIMER MECHANISM 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 74/130, 194/92 [51] Int. Cl Fl6h 27/02 [50] Field of Search 74/130; 194/92 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,443,904 1/1923 Parsons 74/130 2,427,396 9/1947 Farny 194/92 Primary Examiner-Fred C. Mattern, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Wesley S. Ratliff, Jr.

AttorneysJames E. Espe, Harry F. Manbeck, Jr., Joseph B.

Forman, Oscar B. Waddell and Frank L. Neuhauser ABSTRACT: A time-accumulating means is provided to rotate the setting shaft of a timer mechanism unidirectionally in response to an inward and outward reciprocation of the slide of a coin-receiving mechanism. The time-accumulating means comprises a gear rack secured to the slide for reciprocation therewith, a gear rotatably positioned to engage the gear rack during at least a portion of the outward reciprocation, and a unidirectional clutch connecting the gear and the setting shaft. By this arrangement, the inward reciprocation of the slide and gear racks will cause idle rotation of the gear, while outward reciprocation of the slide and gear rack will cause rotation of the setting shaft and the consequential accumulation of timer run time.

PATENTED M27197:

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INVENTOR. CLARENCE A. ZJNNKNGER BY. f g

ms ATTORNEY PATENT ED R2 71921 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR. CLARENCE A. Z\NN\NGER H\s ATTORNEY FLIIWP l O TIMlE-ACCWWULAG MEANS FOR COIN-OPETED R MIECSM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to coin-operated timers such as may be used to control laundry machines, and more specifically, to an improved coin-operated time accumulator for devices such as automatic clothes dryers.

It is desirable, in conjunction with various timer mechanisms, to enable the accumulation of timer-operating or run time through the sequential introduction of a series of coins into a coin-receiving mechanism. A number of prior art devices have failed to provide for a time accumulation capability and have thereby caused the operator to forfeit the amount of timer run time remaining when an additional coin is introduced, due to the fact that the introduction of such an additional coin merely causes the timer mechanism to reset and to run for a period of time represented only by the newly deposited coinage.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a means for accumulating timer run time by the sequential introduction of a series of coins in a coin-receiving mechanism.

It is a further object to provide a means whereby the introduction of subsequent coinage will effect an accumulation of timer run time in addition to the amount of timer run time remaining from the previous deposit of coinage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time-accumulating means adapted to rotate the setting shaft of a timer mechanism unidirectionally in response to an inward and outward reciprocation of the slide of a coin-receiving mechanism. The time-accumulating means comprises a gear rack secured to the slide for reciprocation therewith, a gear rotatably positioned to engage the gear rack during at least a portion of the outward reciprocation, and a unidirectional clutch connecting the gear and the setting shaft. By this arrangement, the inward reciprocation of the slide and gear rack will cause idle rotation of the gear while outward reciprocation of the slide and gear rack will cause rotation of the setting shaft and a consequential accumulation of timer run time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a clothes dryer incorporating one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view partly in section illustrating various details of my device with the slide of the coinreceiving mechanism extended fully outwardly;

FIG. 3 is a plan view partly in section of the embodiment of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the slide of the coinreceiving mechanism extended fully inwardly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated an automatic clothes dryer having a suitable appearance and protective outer cabinet 11 with a service access door 12 pivotally mounted thereon for providing entry to the interior of the cabinet 11. The cabinet ll also supports a coin-operated mechanism 13 adapted to initiate and control the operation of the dryer 10 in response to the selection of a drying cycle by means of control buttons 14 and the introduction of appropriate coinage through a coin-receiving mechanism 15.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 it may be seen that coin-operated mechanism 13 comprises a rigid housing 16 having coinreceiving mechanism 15 secured to an end wall thereof by means of suitable fasteners 17. The details of coin-receiving mechanism 15 do not form a part of the instant invention and are well known in the art. In brief, such mechanism comprises a slide 18 reciprocally mounted in a slide housing 19, the slide 16 having an outward end 20 adapted to be moved manually by an operator and an inward end 211 adapted for mounting appropriate operational mechanisms thereon. A spring 22 operates between slide 18 and slide housing I9 to bias slide 18 outwardly. Included in the coin-receiving mechanism 15 are various assemblies (not shown) adapted to receive, evaluate and collect coins, and to restrict the reciprocation of slide 18 in the event of inadequate or improper coinage deposit.

A timer mechanism 23 is supported by the rigid housing 16 and has a setting shaft 24 extending outwardly therefrom. Included within timer mechanism 23 are a series of camoperated switches provided to control the program of dryer 10. The timer mechanism 23 is so internally wired that when setting shaft 24 reaches a particular angular position, power to the motor of the timer mechanism is interrupted. To restart the timer mechanism, it is necessary to advance the timersetting shaft 24 in the direction of arrow 25. Such rotation of setting shaft in the direction of arrow 25 causes an accumulation of timer run time proportional to the amount of rotation of the setting shaft. When the desired amount of timer run time has been set by rotating setting shaft 24 in the direction of arrow 25, the motor of the timer mechanism will cause a return rotation of the setting shaft in the direction opposite arrow 25 until the shaft 24 reaches the angular position wherein the timer mechanism motor power is internally interrupted.

In accordance with my invention, means are provided for accumulating timer run time by rotating timer-setting shaft 24 in the direction of arrow 25 in response to the introduction of proper coinage into coin-receiving mechanism 15. It is an important feature of my invention that the time accumulation means provided is operative to rotate shaft 24 in the direction of arrow 25 a predetermined amount for each introduction of proper coinage despite the fact that the shaft 24 may already be rotated to a position wherein a small amount of timer run time is already accumulated. Stated in other terms, with my mechanism, the introduction of coinage to accumulate timer run time will cause no loss of timer run time previously accumulated by the deposit of prior coinage.

In the preferred embodiment of my device, a gear rack 26 is secured to slide 18 for reciprocation therewith, and a gear 27 is rotatably positioned to engage the gear rack 26. Gear 27 is selectively coupled to timer-setting shaft 24 by a unidirectional clutch generally indicated by the numeral 28. It is the function of unidirectional clutch 28 to couple setting shaft 24 to gear 27 for rotation therewith only when gear 27 is rotated in the direction of arrow 25. By this arrangement, when slide 13 and gear rack 26 are rcciprocated inwardly, gear rack 26 will cause rotation of gear 27, but clutch 28 will assure no reverse rotation of timer-setting shaft 24 and hence no loss of timer run time accumulated thereon. When, however, slide 18 is moved fully outwardly from a fully inward position, gear rack 26 will cause a predetermined rotation of gear 27 in the direction of arrow 25, and hence the addition or accumulation of a predetermined amount of timer run time.

It has been found to be more desirable to rotate timersetting shaft 24 for accumulation of timer run time thereon during the outward reciprocation of slide 18, than during the inward reciprocation of the slide, as a greater degree of accuracy in time accumulation is achieved. Such greater accuracy is achieved because, by initiating the rotation of setting shaft 24 with gear rack 26 and. slide 18 in the fully inward position, gear rack 26 and gear 27 are fully meshed and rotation of shaft 24 continues until gear rack 26 and gear 27 become disengaged. This is to be compared with the less accurate alternative of initiating rotation of shaft 24 on the inward stroke of slide 18 at such time as gear rack 26 and gear 27 become meshed. As no initial meshing relationship necessarily exists between gear rack 26 and gear 27, the initiation of rotation of shaft 24 may occur earlier or later than is required for an accurate accumulation oftimer run time.

Gear rack 26 is supported from slide end 21 by means of a lost motion mechanism 29. It is the function of lost motion mechanism 29 to delay the rotation of gear 27 in the direction of arrow during the initial outward reciprocation of slide 18 from the fully inward position of the slide. It is desirable to delay the rotation of gear 27 during the initial outward movement of slide 18 to prevent the unauthorized accumulation of timer run time by unscrupulous operators. Without the lost time mechanism 29, it is possible for an operator to accumulate unauthorized timer run time by repeatedly reciprocating or ratcheting slide 18 inwardly and outwardly in small increments when slide 18 is near its fully in ward position. By incorporating lost motion mechanism 29, ratcheting of slide 18 near its innermost position will not function to progressively advance timer-setting shaft 24 in the direction of arrow 25. Rather, gear rack 26 will not reciprocate outwardly until such time as a ratchet assembly (not shown) on the coin-receiving mechanism 15 will limit the movement of slide 18 to outward reciprocation.

Lost motion mechanism 29 comprises a first support member 30 secured by means of fasteners 31 to a second support bracket 32 secured to slide end 21 by means fasteners 33. Gear rack 26 is formed on the lower surface of a member 34 which is reciprocable over a short range relative to the support member 30. A stop 35 is provided on the support member 30 and a spring 36, operating between support member 30 and member 34, serves to bias member 34 toward stop 35. When slide 18 is moved inwardly, gear rack 26 and integral member 34 move concurrently therewith. When slide 18 is moved outwardly, however, gear rack 26 and integral member 34 remain fully inward until such time as spring 36 becomes fully compressed, whereupon gear rack 26 and member 34 then move outwardly with slide 18 causing rotation of gear 27. When gear rack 26 has moved outwardly sufficiently to disengage gear 27, spring 36 reextends, snapping member 34 into engagement with stop 35.

Lost motion mechanism 29 forms no part of the present invention, but rather is described in detail and claimed in copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 820,907 filed concurrently herewith by Robert D. Harris and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

Disposed within the path of inward reciprocation of gear rack 26 is a normally closed switch 37 which when engaged by gear rack 26 will open, thereby deenergizing timer mechanism 23. By such provision, when timer-setting shaft 24 is rotated, the timer mechanism 23 will not be energized. A resilient, downwardly biased guide 38 engages the upper surface of member 34 to assure the proper positioning of gear rack 26 for engagement with gear 27. Gear 27, as best seen in FIG. 3 is coaxially mounted on timer-setting shaft 24 by means of the unidirectional clutch 28 which, in one embodiment, may comprise an interference wound coil spring 39. Coil spring 39 is designed such that when gear 27 is rotated in a direction opposite that of arrow 25, a torque is exerted on the coils of spring 39 in a direction opposite to that at which they are wound, thereby loosening the frictional grip of the spring coils on the gear 27 and the shaft 24 causing slippage therebetween and the transmission of no motion from gear 27 to shaft 24. However, when gear 27 is rotated in the direction of arrow 25, a torque is exerted on the coils of spring 39 in the direction of their winding, thereby causing the spring coils to grip the gear 27 and the shaft 24 with greater force and to transmit motion therebetween.

Although unidirectional clutch 28 is described in the preferred embodiment as comprising an interference wound coil spring, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other clutch configurations may be substituted for the coil spring arrangement.

An adjustment means, generally indicated by the numeral 40, is provided to selectively adjust the length of the gear rack 26 which engages gear 27 during the outward reciprocation of slide 18. It will be appreciated that by selectively varying the length of gear rack which engages gear 27 during the outward reciprocation of slide 18, the amount of rotation imparted to timer-setting shaft 24, and hence the amount of timer run time accumulated per coinage deposit is also selectively varied. The adjustment means 40 comprises a plurality of alternative mounting positions 41, 42, 43 into which fasteners 31 may be threaded to selectively adjust the relative positioning of first and second support members 30 and 32. With first and second support members 30 and 32 positioned as shown in FIG. 3, gear rack 26 will engage gear 27 for a much longer period of travel than when the support members 30 and 32 are joined with fasteners 31 in alternative mounting position 43. It should be noted that since stop 35 is supported from first support member 30, stop 35 need not be readjusted with each repositioning of first support member 30 relative to second support member 32.

In operation, after the operator has made the desired cycle selection by means of control buttons 14 and has placed the proper coinage into the coin-receiving mechanism 15, slide 18 may be reciprocated inwardly from the position of FIGS. 2 and 3 to the position of FIG. 4. During such inward reciprocation, switch 37 deenergizes timer 23, and gear track 26 engages gear 27 causing idle rotation of gear 17 in the direction opposite arrow 25. By idle rotation is meant that due to the operation of unidirectional clutch 28, no motion is transmitted from gear 27 to the timer-setting shaft 24. Subsequent outward reciprocation of slide 18, as previously explained, during the initial movement thereof will cause no motion of member 34 due to the functioning of the lost motion mechanism 29. However, continued outward reciprocation of slide 18 will cause member 34 and integral gear rack 26 to move outwardly with slide 18 thereby causing rotation of gear 27 in the direction of arrow 25 and simultaneous rotation of timer-setting shaft 24 in the direction of arrow 25. It will be seen that timer-setting shaft 24 is rotated a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow 25 for each inward and outward reciprocation cycle of slide 18. Such rotation of timersetting shaft 24 provides an accumulation of a predetermined amount of timer run time regardless of the initial position of timer-setting shaft 24 at the beginning of each reciprocatory cycle of inward and outward movement of slide 18. By this arrangement, there is no loss of timer run time which may be remaining on the timer 23 resulting from the deposit of prior coinage. Continued outward movement of slide 18 from the position of FIG. 4 will return the slide to the position of FIGS. 2 and 3, during which process switch 35 is disengaged by the gear rack 26 again initiating the operation of timer 23, and permitting the return of member 34 of lost motion mechanism 29 to its position adjacent stop 35 As was previously mentioned, my system is particularly adapted for use in automatic clothes dryers wherein it is desirable to enable the accumulation of timer-operating time through the sequential deposit of a series of coins without losing the timer run time which is accumulated on the timer mechanism from the deposit of prior coinage. From the foregoing description it should now be apparent that the present invention, by providing for the unidirectional rotation of the timer-setting shaft through the operation of a rack and gear connected to the timer-setting shaft by means of a unidirectional clutch, enables the accumulation of timer run time regardless of the initial position of the timer-setting shaft.

As will be evident in the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of construction of the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that other modifications, applications or lclaim:

l. A time-accumulating means adapted to rotate the setting shaft of a timer mechanism unidirectionally in response to an inward and outward reciprocation of the slide of a coinreceiving mechanism, said means comprising:

a gear rack carried by the slide for inward and outward reciprocation therewith;

a gear positioned to disengage said gear rack when the slide is extended fully outwardly, and adapted to engage said gear rack for rotation during a portion of said inward and outward reciprocations; and

a unidirectional clutch connecting said gear and the setting shaft, said clutch being adapted to cause idle rotation of said gear during inward reciprocation of the slide, and I adapted to cause rotation of the setting shaft and a consequential accumulation of timer run time during outward reciprocation of the slide;

thereto, and said unidirectional clutch comprises an interference wound coil spring having one end engaging said gear and the other end engaging the timer-setting shaft.

3. The invention of claim 1 additionally including an adjustment means to selectively adjust length of said gear rack which engages said gear during the outward reciprocation, whereby the amount of timer run time accumulated per coinage deposit may be selectively varied.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said adjustment means comprises a plurality of mounting positions for said gear rack along the slide. 

1. A time-accumulating means adapted to rotate the setting shaft of a timer mechanism unidirectionally in response to an inward and outward reciprocation of the slide of a coin-receiving mechanism, said means comprising: a gear rack carried by the slide for inward and outward reciprocation therewith; a gear positioned to disengage said gear rack when the slide is extended fully outwardly, and adapted to engage said gear rack for rotation during a portion of said inward and outward reciprocations; and a unidirectional clutch connecting said gear and the setting shaft, said clutch being adapted to cause idle rotation of said gear during inward reciprocation of the slide, and adapted to cause rotation of the setting shaft and a consequential accumulation of timer run time during outward reciprocation of the slide; whereby said gear and said gear rack are in meshed engagement at initiation of rotation of the setting shaft to assure an exact rotation of the setting shaft with a consequential exact accumulation of timer run time.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said gear is coaxially mounted on the timer-setting shaft for rotation relative thereto, and said unidirectional clutch comprises an interference wound coil spring having one end engaging said gear and the other end engaging the timer-setting shaft.
 3. The invention of claim 1 additionally including an adjustment means to selectively adjust length of said gear rack which engages said gear during the outward reciprocation, whereby the amount of timer run time accumulated per coinage deposit may be selectively varied.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said adjustment means comprises a plurality of mounting positions for said gear rack along the slide. 